What are my rights if my flight gets cancelled?

Know Your Rights: Flight Cancellations and Passenger Compensation

When air travel plans are disrupted due to flight cancellations, passengers have certain rights regarding compensation. Understanding these rights is crucial for ensuring fair treatment and appropriate reimbursement.

Legal Obligation for Refunds

Airlines are legally obligated to provide a full refund for canceled flights, regardless of the type of ticket purchased or the reason for the cancellation. This obligation applies to all ticketed passengers who are significantly impacted by the disruption.

Alternative Travel Arrangements

Airlines are also required to offer alternative travel arrangements to passengers whose flights are canceled. These arrangements may include rebooking on the next available flight, issuing a flight credit, or providing a refund.

Passenger Acceptance

Passengers have the right to accept or decline the alternative travel arrangements offered by the airline. If the proposed alternatives are unacceptable, passengers are entitled to a full refund.

Timeframe for Refunds

Airlines are required to issue refunds promptly, typically within seven business days for domestic flights and 30 business days for international flights. However, some airlines may have different refund timelines, so it is advisable to check with the specific carrier.

Additional Rights for Significant Flight Disruptions

For significant flight disruptions, which are defined as cancellations, delays, or diversions that exceed three hours for domestic flights or four hours for international flights, passengers may be entitled to additional compensation. This may include reimbursement for meals, transportation, and accommodation expenses.

Filing a Complaint

If an airline fails to provide appropriate compensation or assistance, passengers can file a complaint with the relevant regulatory agency. In the United States, this would be the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Passenger Responsibility

While airlines have obligations to compensate passengers for canceled flights, passengers also have responsibilities. These include:

• Checking flight status regularly before departure
• Arriving at the airport on time
• Complying with airline check-in requirements

By understanding your rights and responsibilities, you can ensure fair treatment and appropriate compensation in the event of a flight cancellation.